Babayemi Joshua Olajiire
@unimed.edu.ng
Associate Professor, Environmental Management and Toxicology, Department of Biosciences and Biotechnology
University of Medical Sciences, Ondo
Joshua Babayemi is an Associate Prof, Environmental Chemist, Environmental Data Scientist, and currently the Acting Head of Department of Biosciences and Biotechnology, University of Medical Sciences Ondo . He obtained B.Sc. degree in Environmental Management and Toxicology from the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, and an MSc Environmental Chemistry and Pollution Control, University of Ibadan. He obtained his Ph.D. degree in Environmental Chemistry at the University of Ibadan.
Dr. Babayemi is a member of Science Association of Nigeria, and a research associate of Basel Convention Coordinating Centre for Africa.
EDUCATION
University of Ibadan 2009-2015 Ph.D. (Environmental Chemistry) 2015
University of Ibadan 2006-2008 M.Sc. Environmental Chemistry and Pollution Control 2008
Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta 1999-2005 B.Sc. Environmental Management and Toxicology 2005
Baptist High School, Okeho 1989-1994 Senior Secondary School Certificate 1995
Araromi Baptist Primary School, Okeho 1982-1988 Primary School Leaving Certificate 1988
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Environmental Chemistry; environmental data science, inventory of wastes; material flow analysis of wastes; waste management; persistent organic pollutants; heavy metals in the environment; plastics
Scopus Publications
Scholar Citations
Scholar h-index
Scholar i10-index
Scopus Publications
Joshua O. Babayemi, Innocent C. Nnorom, and Roland Weber
Elsevier BV
Yago Guida, Raquel Capella, Natsuko Kajiwara, Joshua Olajiire Babayemi, João Paulo Machado Torres, and Roland Weber
Elsevier BV
Damilola Ogundele, Mary B. Ogundiran, Joshua O. Babayemi, and Manis K. Jha
Blacksmith Institute
Background. As resources become scarce, information from material and substance flow analysis can help to improve material recovery policy. The flow of toxic substances such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), arsenic (As) and antimony (Sb) can be used as a basis for appropriate risk management decisions for optimum environmental quality. Objectives. The present study examined a material and substance flow analysis of used lead acid batteries (ULAB) from motor vehicles and implications for environmental quality in Nigeria. Methods. Information on motor vehicle imports was obtained from the literature. Mathematical models were constructed and used for the material and substance flow analysis. Samples of 50 brands of ULAB pastes were digested using a microwave digestion system followed by elemental determination (Pb, Cd, silver (Ag), As, cobalt (Co), calcium (Ca), Cr, copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), Sb, selenium (Se), and tellurium (Te)) with inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy. Results. Approximately 4.8 million tons (Mt) lead acid batteries (LAB) from vehicles was used in Nigeria between 1980 and 2014, out of which approximately 2.6 Mt had reached end-of-life (EoL) stages. From the total amount in EoL, approximately 2.3 Mt was recycled, and 0.3 Mt was landfilled. Among the toxic elements, Pb, Cd and As were the most abundant in ULAB; and of the valuable elements, Fe and Cu had the highest levels. Approximately 3.5 Mt of Pb was used in the past (1980–2014) in ULAB for motor vehicles, out of which approximately 1.9 Mt tons was in EoL stages. Discussion. The results revealed that the battery pastes were heterogeneous. Only Pb exceeded the total threshold limit concentration (TTLC) of 1000 mg/kg. The TTLC describes the safe levels or concentration of heavy metals in the environment. The levels observed for other metals in this study were below the TTLC values. The present study estimated an average life span for lead acid batteries in motor vehicles in Nigeria of 5 years, suggesting an additional 2.2 Mt at EoL by 2019. High concentrations of Pb in air, water and soil carry the potential for contamination of food products, especially in Nigeria, where food is traditionally prepared and sold in open air markets in an unregulated manner. Conclusions. High amounts of toxic elements present in the various life cycle stages signal potential environmental and human health hazards. Competing Interests. The authors declare no competing financial interests.
John P. Unyimadu, Oladele Osibanjo, and Joshua O. Babayemi
Blacksmith Institute
Background. Pollution in aquatic ecosystems is a serious environmental concern. There is a great need for constant assessment and monitoring of hazardous substances, particularly in aquatic environments in developing countries, as rivers are media with easy trans-boundary transport of chemical substances. Objectives. The present study assessed the occurrence and distribution of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in the sediments of the Niger River, Nigeria. Methods. A total of 120 samples of sediment were collected from 15 locations along the river using Van Veen grab. The Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) 3570 method with slight modification was used for sample preparation. Organochlorine pesticides were analyzed using Hewlett Packard 5890 series II gas chromatography with electron capture detector. Confirmation of OCPs was performed using a gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer (Shimadzu QP2010) and capillary column type HP1MS (30 m × 0.25 um × 0.25 mm id). Results. The highest concentration of ∑OCPs in the sediment samples of the River Niger (5023±1596 μg/kg, 4672–7009 μg/kg) was detected in a location at Onitsha, while the lowest concentration (1570±204.5, 1214–1820 μg/kg) was detected in a location at the Nicolas River. Discussion. High values of ∑OCPs (>2000 μg/kg) were detected in all of the locations except in three locations where lower levels were detected. The ∑OCPs were higher during the dry season compared to the rainy season. This may be because the resident time of the sediment transported was higher during the dry season compared to the rainy season, which is characterized by storms, high current, and bottom scour. The chlordane concentration ranged between 24.4 and 134.1 μg/kg dry weight (dw) in locations Nicolas 14 and Lokoja 5; and the Probable Effect Concentration guidelines were exceeded. Dieldrin was detected at very low levels in most of the locations and ranged from 5.67 to 70.3 μg/kg dw in locations Onitsha 9 and 8; and the Probable Effect Concentration guideline was only exceeded in location Onitsha 8; however, the Toxic Effect Concentration guideline was exceeded at all of the locations. Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (DDD) was not detected in location Lokoja 6 or 7, and Onitsha 8 and 9, although the concentration in all other locations exceeded the guidelines. Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) concentrations exceeded the guidelines except in location Nicolas 13. Conclusions. Due to the environmental/human risk and potential danger of the elevated levels of OCPs, there is a need for continuous monitoring of the Niger River. Competing Interests. The authors declare no competing financial interests.
Joshua O. Babayemi, Innocent C. Nnorom, Oladele Osibanjo, and Roland Weber
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Abstract Background Currently, plastic is at the top of the international agenda for waste management. Recent meetings of the Conferences of the Parties to the Basel and the Stockholm Conventions have expressed concerns over the impact of plastic waste, marine plastic litter, and microplastics, and emphasised the importance of reducing consumption and ensuring the environmentally sound management of waste plastics. This study presents the first continental historical analysis of mass importation and consumption of different polymers and plastics (primary and secondary forms, respectively) in Africa and the associated pollution potential. We identified, collated and synthesised dispersed international trade data on the importation of polymers and plastics into several African countries. Results The 33 African countries (total population of 856,671,366) with available data for more than 10 years imported approximately 86.14 Mt of polymers in primary form and 31.5 Mt of plastic products between 1990 and 2017. Extrapolating to the continental level (African population of 1.216 billion in 54 countries), about 172 Mt of polymers and plastics valued at $285 billion were imported between 1990 and 2017. Considering also the components of products, an estimated 230 Mt of plastics entered Africa during that time period, with the largest share going to Egypt (43 Mt, 18.7%), Nigeria (39 Mt, 17.0%), South Africa (27 Mt, 11.7%), Algeria (26 Mt, 11.3%), Morocco (22 Mt, 9.6%), and Tunisia (16 Mt, 7.0%). Additionally, primary plastic production in 8 African countries contributed 15 Mt during 2009–2015. The assessment showed that environmentally sound end-of-life management of waste plastics by recycling and energy recovery is in its infancy in Africa, but recycling activities and thermal recovery have started in a few countries. Conclusions Globally, the perception is that production and consumption of plastics can only increase in the future. Solutions are needed to tackle this global challenge. Certain policies and plastic bag bans could help reduce plastic consumption in the near future, as demonstrated by Rwanda. Furthermore, there is a need for innovative solutions such as the introduction of biodegradable polymers and other alternatives, especially for packaging.
J. O. Babayemi, O. Osibanjo, O. Sindiku, and R. Weber
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Recently, certain polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) have been listed as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the Stockholm Convention. In this study, a preliminary material and substance flow analysis of commercial pentabromodiphenyl ether (c-PentaBDE) was conducted for motor vehicles—a major use sector for POP-PBDE in polyurethane (PUR) foam—for Nigeria. The methodology of the Stockholm Convention PBDE inventory guidance was used for the calculation of c-PentaBDE. Material/substance flow analysis was conducted applying the STAN software. The time frame for this analysis was 1980–2010, considering that this was the period when POP-PBDE-containing vehicles were largely imported into Nigeria.It is estimated that the approximately 19 million passenger cars imported from 1980 to 2010 contained ca. 270 t of POP-PBDEs in ca. 401,000 t of PUR foam. A major share of cars from the USA and only a small share of cars from Europe and Asia were impacted. This simplified material and substance flow of PUR foams and POP-PBDEs in motor vehicles demonstrated the potential for environmental/human contamination and pollution of recycling/reuse for Nigeria and other developing countries.The study developed the first preliminary inventory of end-of-life vehicles for Nigeria, following which the environment ministry has taken up the important issue of end-of-life vehicles management. Considering that a range of other pollutants are contained in vehicles (e.g. heavy metals, flame retardants, PCBs, chlorofluorocarbons, hydrofluorocarbons and waste oil), this initiated activity should finally lead to an integrated management of pollutants and resources from the transport sector.
Joshua O. Babayemi, Mary B. Ogundiran, Roland Weber, and Oladele Osibanjo
Blacksmith Institute
Background. Plastic is a waste stream with recycling and recovery potential. However, the recycling rates for plastic in African countries are low. Furthermore, use and production of virgin plastics are increasing. Therefore, a high proportion of plastic waste is being disposed of in landfills and dumpsites. Plastic serves as fuel for open burning at landfills/dumpsites with associated releases and constitutes a large fraction of marine litter, making it a major and growing global pollution concern. Objectives. This study aims to develop an initial inventory of plastics in Nigeria towards the development of an effective plastics management frame. Methods. A search was conducted of the recent literature and the United Nations (UN) Comtrade database using harmonized system (HS) codes for import data of various polymer categories and major product categories containing plastic. Algebraic expressions were developed for calculation of the share of plastic in these products. Results. Approximately 14,200,000 tons of plastics in primary form were imported into Nigeria between 1996–2014. Approximately 3,420,000 tons total plastic were imported in the form of products and approximately 5,545,700 tons were imported as product components. Approximately 194,000 tons of plastic toys were imported over a six-year period. Discussion. The total amount of plastics imported in primary form and as products equals 17,620,000 tons. The total volume of imported plastic, newly produced plastic and plastic components going into the technosphere was 23,400,000 tons. The huge amount of plastic and other polymers entering the technosphere in Nigeria has important implications for marine litter, pollution, waste management and resource recovery. Conclusions. A huge volume of plastics has entered the Nigerian technosphere, with less than 12% of the resulting waste entering the recycling stream. There is a need for sustainable management of this crucial waste and resource category. Potential mitigating strategies include waste plastic reuse, recycling, waste conversion to energy, and appropriate plastic control policy frameworks. Competing Interests. The authors declare no competing financial interests.
John P. Unyimadu, Oladele Osibanjo, and Joshua O. Babayemi
Blacksmith Institute
Background. Anthropogenic polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in aquatic environments poses human and ecological health risks in Nigeria. Objectives . This study determined the concentrations of PCBs in brackish water fish in the River Niger to assess the contamination status of fish consumed by the local population. Methods . The sampled fish species included Drepane africana, Mochokus niloticus, Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus, Pristipoma jubelini, Vomer septapinis, Pseudotolithus senegalensis, Mugil cephalus, Pseudotolithus elongatus, Sphyraena piscatorum and Lutjanus goreensis, purchased from landing sites. Six fish from each species were sampled, for a total of 60 samples. Twenty-seven (27) PCB congeners, #8, #18 #28, #44, #52, #60, #77, #81, #101, #105, #114, #118, #123, #126, #128, #138, #153, #156, #157, #167, #169, #170, #180, #185, #189, #195, and #206 were screened in the fish samples using standard methods. The PCBs were identified and quantified using gas chromatography (GC) (Hewlett Packard GC 5890 series 11 with electron capture detector). Confirmation was performed using Shimadzu GCMS QP2010. Results. The sum of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Agency (ΣNOAA) PCBs occurred at the highest concentration of 1830.0±484.0 μg/kg detected in Vomer septapinis, and the lowest in Pseudotolithus senegalensis, with a mean concentration of 795±169.3 μg/kg. The concentration of dioxin-like (DL) PCBs was highest in Pristipoma jubelini (992.0±88.6 μg/kg) and lowest (285.6±81.5 μg/kg) in Drepane africana. The highest mean concentration (418.±177.6 μg/kg) of International Council for the Exploration of the Seas-7 (ICES-7) PCBs was observed in Vomer septapinis. The heavier ICES-7 congeners PCB-138, PCB-153, and PCB-180 occurred at higher concentrations compared to the lighter molecular weight ICES-7: PCB-28, PCB-52, and PCB-101. The European Union (EU) marker PCB limit of 335 μg/kg was exceeded in all the brackish water fishes with the exception of Mochokus niloticus, Pristipoma jubelini and Pseudotolithus senegalensis. Discussion . The total level of PCBs in the brackish fish samples was relatively high at >1000 μg/kg (above the World Health Organization (WHO) and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) guideline of 1000 μg/kg fresh weight). The EU guideline value for fish (220 μg/kg fresh weight) was exceeded in about 80% of the brackish fish samples studied. Conclusions. Consumption of fish from the River Niger may expose humans to polychlorinated biphenyls. In addition, since contamination of the fish samples is an indication of river contamination, river water quality is of great concern and there is a need for additional PCB data on water quality to be distributed to the community, followed by mitigation measures. Competing interests. The authors declare no competing financial interests.
John P. Unyimadu, O. Osibanjo, and Joshua O. Babayemi
Hindawi Limited
Investigation of the levels of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in fish samples was carried out to assess the contamination status of Niger River. Ten different brackish water species of fish (6 samples for each, making a total of 60) were purchased from landing sites at the Delta area of Niger River. These were Drapane africana, Mochokus niloticus, Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus, Pristipoma jubelini, Vomer septapinis, Pseudotolithus senegalensis, Mugil cephalus, Pseudotolithus elongatus, Sphyraena piscatorum, and Lutjanus goreensis. OCPs were determined using standard methods. Certified reference standards from Accustandard USA were used for the instrument calibration and quantification of OCPs. Twenty OCPs, namely, α-HCH, β-HCH, γ-HCH, δ-HCH, endrin, endrin aldehyde, endrin ketone, heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, aldrin, dieldrin, endosulfan I, endosulfan II, endosulfan sulfate, methoxychlor, α-chlordane, γ-chlordane, DDE, DDT, and DDT, were identified/quantified using Gas Chromatography (GC) (Hewlett Packard GC 5890 series 11 with electron capture detector). Confirmation was done using Shimadzu GCMS QP2010. The highest concentration of ∑OCPs in the brackish fish samples of the Niger River, 4302±2066 µg/kg fresh weight, with a range of 2237-6368 µg/kg, was detected in Drapane africana, while the lowest concentration, 2320±876.4, with a range of 1006-3288 µg/kg, was found in Mochokus niloticus. The concentration of total OCP compounds varied markedly amongst the different fish species. The guideline value of 2000 µg/kg fresh weight by WHO/FAO was exceeded and therefore implied potential harmful effects on humans. Since contamination of the fish samples was an indication of contamination of the river, the quality of the water for public water supply should be of concern; and therefore further monitoring is suggested.
JP Unyimadu, O Osibanjo, and JO Babayemi
SAGE Publications
Contamination of rivers with persistent organic pollutants (POPs) is an issue of current global concern. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are POPs with origin from commercial, incineration and industrial sources. Hence, there is a need for monitoring their occurrence and distribution in the environment. This study assessed the occurrence, distribution and composition profiles of PCBs in River Niger, Nigeria. Surface and bottom water samples were collected in consecutive quarters for a period of 2 years, covering the beginning and end of the rainy seasons and the dry seasons, from five locations (Gurara, Lokoja, Onitsha, Brass and Nicolas) along River Niger. A total of 240 water samples were collected using a Van Dorn water sampler. EPA method 3510c was used with slight modifications for sample preparation and analysis. The PCBs were analysed using a Hewlett Packard GC 5890 Series 11 with electron capture detection, and confirmation was made using a Shimadzu GCMS QP2010. The higher molecular weight marker PCBs (∑CB 138, 153 and 180) were more dominant than the lighter homologues (∑CB 28, 52 and 101), while commercial sources Co-PCBs (80.8 ± 61.7 to 288.3 ± 102.0 ng L−1) were more dominant than the incineration sources (34.9 ± 3.82 to 75.5 ± 65.2 ng L−1). The POPs load in River Niger water varied in both time and space. In surface water of the River Niger, ∑PCBs were higher during the rainy season, as a result of storm run-off from land-based sources. In the Brass and Nicolas Rivers during the dry season, the ∑PCBs were higher during low tide. There was no noticeable pattern during the rainy season. It may be concluded from this study that the water of River Niger is not good for human consumption or abstraction of water from the river for drinking water treatment.
J. P. Unyimadu, O. Osibanjo, and J. O Babayemi
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
This study assessed the levels and distribution of selected persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in water of River Niger. The selected POPs of interest were organochlorine pesticides (OCPs). Fifteen representative sites along River Niger: three each from Gurara River (tributary) in Niger State, Lokoja (confluence) in Kogi State, Onitsha in Anambra State, Brass and Nicolas Rivers (tributaries) in Bayelsa State were selected for sampling quarterly over a 24-month period. A total of 240 surface and bottom water samples were collected using Van Dorn water sampler in the eight quarters of 2008–2009. At the Delta locations where tidal effects take place, high- and low-tide water samples were taken as compared to surface and bottom at the River Niger locations. For sample extraction, EPA method 3510c was employed with slight modifications. Certified reference standards from Accustandards USA was used for the instrument calibration and quantification of OCPs. The extracted samples were subjected to gas chromatography (GC/ECD) for identification/quantification. And Shimadzu GCMS QP2010 was used for confirmation. Chlordane, endosulfan, endrin and DDT metabolites were very prominent in the water samples, compared to HCH, dieldrin, and isomers which occurred at lower concentrations. The sequence in the concentration of the organochlorine pesticides were ∑chlordane > ∑DDT > ∑endosulfan > ∑endrine > ∑dieldrin > ∑HCH. The highest concentration of ∑OCPs in water samples of River Niger, 1138.0 ± 246.7 ng/L, with range 560.8–1629 ng/L was detected at Onitsha location, while the lowest concentration, 292.6 ± 74.9, with range 181–443.0 ng/L was detected at Nicolas River. Levels of OCPs in a larger percentage of the samples exceeded guidelines and therefore hold potential harmful effects on benthic fauna, fish, and man. Abstraction of water from the River for drinking water treatment should be discouraged. Because of the potential danger, this presents, continuous monitoring of the water body and if possible remediation, determination of the sources of the POPs is therefore very necessary.
J. O. Babayemi, O. Osibanjo, and R. Weber
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Abstract
Recent years have witnessed a strong global increase in mobile phone (MP) production and use. This category of electronic devices generates one of the fastest growing waste streams and therefore requires assessment of the volumes entering the end of life and the valuables for resource recovery. This study aims at determining the material flow of MPs in Nigeria and the substance flow analysis of selected precious and heavy metals and bromine as a basis for developing waste and resource management strategies. The results showed that between 2001 and 2013, approximately 54,050 t of MPs were imported to Nigeria containing approx. 8920 t of copper, 120 t of lead, 270 t of Nickel, 40 t of chromium and 1310 t of bromine from brominated flame retardants. From these, 46,740 t are still in stock including 11,000 t currently in use and 35,740 t stored. Approx. 7310 t have reached EoL with 2190 t having been recycled and 5120 t disposed in dumps. Currently approximately 7000 t of mobile phones (approximately 87,500,000 million MPs) are imported per year. Nigeria and other developing countries need to develop appropriate policies and systems for collection, re-use, recovery and disposal of wastes arising from these devices.
Joshua O. Babayemi, Mary B. Ogundiran, and Oladele Osibanjo
Wiley
Solid waste is of serious concern in developing countries because of its high rate of generation and the low-end quality of its management. Inefficient handling of solid wastes may result in deterioration of environmental quality, but it can also result in loss of potential resources. This study reviews current solid waste generation and management in Nigeria and the need for an effective collection, recovery, and recycling policy. Our review is based on literature searches and personal field surveys. Observations showed that uncontrolled electronic waste (e-waste), agricultural-waste (agro-waste), scrap metals, waste polymers, and waste from the transportation sector are prevalent in Nigeria. Recent collection rates were less than 50% of the total solid waste generated (i.e., approximately 40% was collected). With an effective collection system and appropriate policies, the abundance of solid waste in the country could present material recovery and recycling opportunities that would boost the economy and move Nigeria closer to sustainable resource management.
Mary B. Ogundiran, Tordue G. Buluku, Joshua O. Babayemi, and Oladele Osibanjo
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Electrical electronics constitute a significant quantity of municipal solid wastes which are discarded after use in open dumpsites especially in the developing countries. The aim of this study was to characterise the material and chemical components, evaluate current management practices and investigate recovery of lead from battery electrodes (BEs) of waste rechargeable electric lamps (RLs). Twenty-six waste RLs of different models were sampled in Nigeria and characterised. Their BEs were analysed for Pb, Cr, Mn, Cu, Zn, Ni and Fe after acid digestion. Questionnaires were distributed to unselected respondents to assess usage and disposal of the lamps. Reaction of citric acid solutions with Pb in the presence of H2O2 was used for the recovery of Pb. 69 % of the respondents disposed their waste RLs in open dumpsites. The mean ± SD concentrations of Pb, Cr, Mn, Cu, Zn, Ni and Fe in the BEs were 600 ± 0.2 g/kg, 65.4 ± 40 mg/kg, 5.05 ± 4.0 mg/kg, 6.81 ± 5.0 mg/kg, 5.98 ± 3.0 mg/kg, 50.0 ± 30 mg/kg and 40.2 ± 35 mg/kg, respectively. The results show that the batteries are lead-acid batteries which require management. At the optimal conditions of S/L = 0.14, temperature = 20 °C and leaching time = 5 h, about 95 % Pb was recovered in form of lead citrate from the battery. High recovery of Pb is possible with simple and environment-friendly reactions.
Joshua O. Babayemi, Mary B. Ogundiran, and Oladele Osibanjo
Wiley
Pollution has taken on a global dimension, and the effects are most obvious in developing countries. The effects take a toll on human health, animals, and vegetation, as well as on soil, air, and water quality. The objective of this article is to discuss the current relationships among pollution, environmental quality, and human health within the frame of anthropogenic activities in developing countries. In addition to personal observations, we review relevant literature on conditions throughout the developing world and case studies on conditions and activities in Nigeria. Key findings show the significant, adverse contributions to human health and environmental risk from current waste generation and handling practices, indoor and outdoor air pollution, wastewater and effluent generation and disposal, the hazardous nature and pollution
potential of wastes, and the human behaviors that contribute to pollution in developing countries. There is an urgent need to create awareness among the various segments of society of the human health hazards posed by pollution as well as a need for the comprehensive development and enforcement of appropriate policies to prevent a descent into an abyss of deteriorating human and environmental health.
Joshua Babayemi, Omotayo Sindiku, Oladele Osibanjo, and Roland Weber
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
This study investigated the material/substance flow of polybrominated diphenyl ethers listed in the Stockholm Convention (SC) as persistent organic pollutant (POP-PBDEs) in the most relevant plastic fractions in Nigeria. Considering the prohibition of production and the use of POP-PBDEs and knowing that these pollutants are still contained in electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) and associated wastes (WEEE), it is necessary to determine their flows, especially in developing countries with limited end-of-life management. Following the inventory approach of the SC Guidance and utilizing the existing national e-waste inventory together with monitoring data, a material/substance flow analysis was conducted using the STAN tool. Within the period of 2000 to 2010, the total import for EEE/WEEE in Category 3 and 4 was approximately 8 million tonnes (Mt) containing approximately 2.4 Mt of polymers. For the inventory year 2010, it was estimated that from these polymers, about 0.8 Mt was still in stock and 1.6 Mt has reached the end-of-life. It was also estimated that approximately 1.1 Mt has ended in dumpsites, 0.3 Mt was burned in the open, and 0.2 Mt was recycled. In the plastic fractions, 1,270 t of POP-PBDEs was contained with about 370 t still in use/stock and approximately 900 t has entered the end-of-life phase. All three major end-of-life treatments result in environmental pollution with associated exposure risk. The implementation of the Stockholm Convention represents an important opportunity to improve this management situation in Nigeria and other developing countries.
O. Sindiku, J. O. Babayemi, M. Tysklind, O. Osibanjo, R. Weber, A. Watson, M. Schlummer, and S. Lundstedt
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Plastics from cathode ray tube (CRT) casings were sampled in Nigeria and analysed for their polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxin and dibenzofuran (PBDD/F) content. PBDD/Fs, consisting mainly of PBDFs, were detected in BFR containing plastic with a median (mean) concentration of 18,000 ng/g (41,000 ng/g). The PBDD/Fs levels were highest in samples containing PBDEs, but the levels of PBDFs were two orders of magnitude higher than the levels reported in the technical PBDE mixtures and where frequently exceeding 1000 μg/g of PBDE content. These higher levels are likely to arise from additional transformation of PBDEs during production, use, recycling, or storage, but the processes responsible were not identified in this study. PBDD/Fs in CRT casings containing1,2-bistribromophenoxyethane (TBPE) were dominated by tetrabrominated dibenzo-p-dioxin (TBDDs) with concentrations around 10 μg/g of the TBPE content. The PBDD/Fs in CRT casings containing tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) were found at concentrations around 0.1 μg/g of TBBPA levels. Casings treated with TBPE or TBBPA often contained PBDEs (and PBDF) as impurities—probably originating from recycled e-waste plastics. It was estimated that the 237,000 t of CRT casings stockpiled in Nigeria contain between 2 and 8 t of PBDD/Fs. The total PBDD/F contamination in polymers arising from total historic PBDE production/use is estimated in the order of 1000 t. TEQ values of CRT samples frequently exceeded the Basel Convention’s provisional low POPs content of 15 ng TEQ/g. Due to the significant risks to health associated with PBDD/Fs, more detailed studies on the exposure routes from PBDD/Fs in stockpiles are needed.
Omotayo Sindiku, Joshua Babayemi, Oladele Osibanjo, Martin Schlummer, Mathias Schluep, Alan Watson, and Roland Weber
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were the first brominated persistent organic pollutants (POPs) listed in the Stockholm Convention. Parties to the convention are currently establishing inventories for developing action plans for the environmentally sound management of PBDE-containing materials. The major use of commercial octabromodiphenyl ether (c-OctaBDE) has been in casings from cathode ray tube (CRT) TVs and computer monitors. Large quantities of used e-waste and electronic equipment have been exported to developing countries with Nigeria being a major importer in Africa. The casings from 382 TVs and computers imported from major world regions to Nigeria were sampled in backyards and waste dumps. The samples were screened with X-ray flourescence (XRF) for bromine and analysed by gas chromatography/ electron capture detection (GC/ECD) for brominated flame retardants (BFRs). A high proportion of the CRT casings (61 %) contained more than 10,000 ppm bromine from BFRs. Decabromodiphenyl ether (DecaBDE) was the major flame retardant used in TV sets and tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) for computer CRTs.The screening suggests that average PBDE levels (of c-OctaBDE + DecaBDE) in Nigerian-stockpiled CRT casings were 1.1 % for TV and 0.13 % for PC CRTs. These are above the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) limit and should be separated for RoHS compliant recycling. The Nigerian e-waste inventory of 237,000 t of CRT plastic would therefore contain approx. 594 t c-OctaBDE and 1,880 t of DecaBDE. In Nigeria, as for most developing countries, there is currently no adequate e-waste management, plastic separation or destruction capacity. The data highlight the urgent need to develop environmentally sound management for this large material flow.
Joshua O. Babayemi, Oladele Osibanjo, and Roland Weber
Wiley
Insights into consumer behavior, hazards of inappropriate disposal, and opportunities to reclaim valuable resources
Mary B. Ogundiran, Oluwaseun A. Oyetade, Joshua O. Babayemi, and Oladele Osibanjo
Inderscience Publishers
This study assessed the material and chemical compositions and methods of disposal of end-of-life non-rechargeable electric torches (EOLNETs). Thirty EOLNETs of ten different models were collected in Lagos, Nigeria. Total heavy metals in plastic and PWB components of the samples were determined using CPSC-CH-1002-08 and EPA 3050B methods. Questionnaires were distributed to 200 unselected respondents to assess the usage and disposal of EOLNETs. The result showed that plastic is the most abundant component of the waste with a mean composition of 70.9%. The levels of Cd, Cr and Ni were low. The range and mean ± SD concentrations of Pb in the plastics was 282 to 1,910 mg/kg (717 ± 522) and in PWB was 6,060 to 66,200 mg/kg (39,200 ± 20,800) respectively. 86.6% of the respondents use the products. 90.7% respondents disposed their spent torches in dumpsites. This study demonstrates that EOLNETs constitute hazardous e-wastes that require well informed management protocols and effective disposal strategies.
J.O. Babayemi, G.O. Adewuyi, K.T. Dauda, and A.A.A. Kayode
Science Alert
D.O. Nwude, P.A.C. Okoye, and J.O. Babayemi
Science Alert
D.O. Nwude, P.A.C. Okoye, and J.O. Babayemi
Medwell Publications